Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust shares its knowledge of pressure ulcer prevention
Nurses at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust will be sharing their knowledge on how to reduce pressure ulcers in support of Stop the Pressure Day on the 20 November 2014.
Stop the Pressure stalls will be hosted at each of the Trust’s main sites and they will be manned by Trust nursing staff who will be on hand to answer questions and discuss how pressure ulcers can be prevented through regular skin inspection, good hydration and a balanced diet.
The team will also be showcasing a recently launched smartphone app which gives users information on who is at risk of pressure ulcers and how best to prevent them.
The PU info app is part of the Trust’s ground-breaking community outreach programme which brings together patients, carers and healthcare professionals across the community to help prevent pressure ulcers. It was developed in conjunction with New Buckinghamshire University.
Professor Janice Sigsworth, director of nursing, said:“The Trust is well known for its work on pressure ulcers and the number of occurrences within our Trust is well below the national average well as comparing favourably with other Trusts in our peer group.
“Over the last few years we have been working hard to bring together our expertise and successes in pressure ulcer prevention, with the rest of the North West London healthcare community, to share best practise and to involve patients and carers in pressure ulcer prevention.”
Pressure ulcers, also known as bed sores or pressure sores, are areas of damage to the skin and deeper layers of tissue. They are commonly caused by sustained pressure being applied to the body and they can occur almost anywhere on the body. Studies have shown that between 80 and 95 per cent of pressure ulcers could be avoided with the correct care and regular skin inspections.
Stop the Pressure stands will be at each of the entrances at St Mary’s Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital between 10.30-3pm on 20 November 2014.
For more information please contact the press office.
